Visitor guide
Welcome to Windy Welly
Using public transport is a great way to get around town and see the sights without paying for parking. Many of Wellington's best venues are conveniently located near transport routes. We've listed a few suggestions below.
Choosing a ticket that works for you
If you're doing just a couple of short trips within the city centre, paying with cash is your best bet. If you're here for the whole day and you've got lots you want to see, a Metlink Explorer Day Pass will likely be your cheapest option.
Here for more than a couple days? You may benefit from getting a Snapper card, as it gives you the best discounts on bus and train fares. Snapper retail outlets are located all around the city.
There are discounted fares for children and free off-peak travel for anyone travelling with a SuperGold card.
Finding your way around
You can use our journey planner on the home page of the website or app, or use standard map apps on your device, if that works better for you. There are also great Wellington visitor resources online at WellingtonNZ(external link) and Tourism New Zealand.(external link)
Need a little help?
You can call our Metlink Service Centre, and our friendly staff can assist you. If you're near Wellington Station, you can pop in and see our Customer Service Kiosk staff who can point you in the right direction.
There are a few iSite Visitor Centres around the region, and they can help you out with public transport, recommendations of things to see, and other transport options.
Key destinations
We recommend using the journey planner or your favourite map app to get around Wellington.
Handy tip: All of the destinations below are within zones 1-3, so a Metlink Explorer day pass will have your fare covered.
Location: Stewart Duff Drive, Rongotai
Airport Express service starts 1 July 2022
Nearest Standard Metlink Route: Route 2 to Seatoun
Wellington Airport is located in the Eastern Suburbs on the Miramar Peninsula. The nearest Metlink service to the airport is the Route 2, which drops off on Broadway, about a 10 minute walk from the departures terminal. Be sure to catch the Route 2 bus that says Seatoun on the front (the Miramar branch does not follow this part of the route).
Location: 200 Daniell Street, Newtown
Nearest Route: Route 23 to Houghton Bay; or catch any bus to Wellington Hospital or Newtown Shops and walk 10 minutes to Zoo entrance.
Location: 53 Waiapu Road, Karori
Nearest Routes:
Route 21 toward Wrights Hill, get off at Stop #5380 Zealandia at Birdwood Street;
Route 2 or 18 toward Karori, and get off at Stop #5320 Zealandia at Chaytor Street (Appleton Park);
Route 22 toward Johnsonville, and get off at Stop #5920 at Zealandia - Northland Tunnel Road.
Location: Cable Car Lane, 280 Lambton Quay, Downtown
Nearest Routes: Take any bus that goes via Lambton Quay (this is most buses in the city).
The Golden Mile is what Wellingtonians call the areas of Lambton Quay, Willis Street, Manners Street, and Courtenay Place, where shopping, cafes, and the central business district run through the heart of downtown.
Most city buses run along at least some of the Golden Mile. Look for routes that serve Courtenay Place and Wellington Station, or use the journey planner.
Location: 1 Museum Street, Pipitea
Nearest Routes: Catch any bus that goes to Wellington Station. The Beehive and Parliament Buildings are just across the road.
Location: 55 Cable Street, Te Aro (Wellington Waterfront)
Nearest Routes: Catch any bus that goes to Courtenay Place, and walk 2 blocks towards the water to find Te Papa.
Location: State Highway 1, Te Aro, Wellington
Nearest Routes: Route 3, 18 or 27, get off at Stop #6913 Taranaki Street near 217 (if heading away from the city), or Stop #7913 Taranaki Street near 274 (if heading towards the city).
Location: 101 Glenmore Street, Kelburn
Nearest Routes: Catch Route 2 towards Karori from the north end of Lambton Quay. It's just a few stops to Glenmore Street, where you'll see the entrance to the gardens.
Location: Lookout Road, Hataitai
Nearest Routes: Catch Route 20 from Courtenay Place, or you can walk up to the top in about 45 minutes using the short loop walking track, or 1.5 hours using the long walking loop (most visitors choose this option!)
Location: Oriental Parade, Wellington
Nearest Routes: Route 14 towards Kilbirnie or 24 towards Miramar, get off the bus when you see the beach! Or you can walk from Courtenay Place to Oriental Parade in about 10 minutes.
Location: Corner of Camperdown Road & Weka Street, Miramar
Nearest Routes: Route 2 (Miramar) or 18, get off at Stop #6240 Darlington Road at Camperdown Road.
Location: 105 Waterloo Quay, Pipitea
Nearest Routes: Catch any bus or train to Wellington Station. Ramps from the Railway Station platforms lead up to the entrance of the stadium.
Location: 4 Queens Wharf, Wellington Waterfront
Nearest Routes: Catch any bus that goes down Lambton Quay or any train to Wellington Station. It's a short 5 minute walk from Lambton Quay or 10 minute walk from the Railway Station along the waterfront.
Location: Mount Cook, Wellington
Nearest Routes: Route 1, get off at Kent Terrace, Cambridge Terrace, or Adelaide Road near the Basin Reserve. You can't miss it!
Last published: Saturday, January 28, 2023 at 9:54 AM